Eagles Host Chippewas Tuesday, Nov. 22, on Senior Day

Football vs. Central Michigan
Date	Tuesday, Nov. 22 \| 7 p.m.
Venue	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| Rynearson Stadium (30,200)
Preview Info	EMU Notes \| Teleconference Audio.
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	ESPN3
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| TuneIn Radio
Twitter	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics
Tickets	Order Tickets Online or call 734.487.2282 \| Clear Bag Policy
Bowl Information	2016 Bowl Selection Process and Packages

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team will close out the 2016 regular season with one final game at "The Factory", hosting Central Michigan University Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m. The Mid-American Conference West Division matchup will be the final home game for EMU's 15-member senior class, whom will be recognized in a pregame ceremony on the gray turf inside Rynearson Stadium.
   The Eagles enter the #MACtion clash at 6-5 (3-4 MAC) after a 31-24 overtime setback to Northern Illinois University, Nov. 16. Meanwhile, CMU (6-5, 3-4 MAC) upended MAC East Division leader Ohio University, 27-20,with a game-clinching interception in the end zone with 34 seconds to play.
   The contest will be televised by ESPN3 with Michael Reghi providing the play-by-play and Dustin Fox serving as the analyst. WEMU (89.1 FM) will provide audio coverage of the game with Matt Shepard and Rob Rubick calling the action on the field.

HUDDLE UP AGAINST MS: Please join Eastern Michigan University and help support the multiple sclerosis community.Individual adult game tickets for the Eastern Michigan vs. Central Michigan football game are $10 including advanced day of game sales. Youth 12 and under receive the normal discount at $8 per ticket.A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) to help people with MS and their families receive vital programs and services. Show your school spirit and help MSAA continue to improve lives today for the multiple sclerosis community! To order, call 734.487.2282 or click here.

STRIVING FOR SEVEN: The Eagles head into Tuesday night's showdown in search of their seventh win of the season, currently boasting a 6-5 overall record. Eastern Michigan has not posted seven wins in a season since 1989, when EMU finished the season 7-3-1 under Jim Harkema.

BOWL ELIGIBLE: With the 48-41 win over Ball State, Nov. 8, Eastern Michigan became bowl eligible. EMU's last bowl appearance came in 1987, when Eastern defeated San Jose State 30-27 in the California Bowl. EMU currently has the second-longest bowl drought in the FBS ranks, as New Mexico State has not been to a bowl since 1960.

BIGGEST TURNAROUNDS: Eleven games into the 2016 season, Eastern Michigan has improved on its 2015 win total by five games, from one win to six. This is tied for second in the FBS for the largest turnaround from 2015 to 2016 with Wyoming. UCF leads the way having improved its win total from zero to six.

2,000-AND COUNTING: Redshirt junior quarterback Brogan Roback surpassed the 2,000-yard passing mark this season following a 184 yard performance against Northern Illinois, Nov. 16. The Toledo, Ohio native is the first EMU signal-caller since Walter Church to throw for 2,000-or-more yards in consecutive seasons. Church tossed for 2,650 yards during the 1998 campaign before following it up with 2,015 in 1999. Roback has 2,039 yards via the air this season after posting 2,304 in 2015.
   In total, Roback becomes just the third EMU signal-caller to throw for more than 2,000-yards in multiple seasons. Church did so three times, while Charlie Batch managed the feat in 1995 and 1997.

HOLD THE TURKEY: Playing its fifth non-Saturday contest of the year, Eastern Michigan will complete its regular season schedule before enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 24. That means that EMU will not play on "Black Friday" for the first time since 2007, when the team finished the year on a Saturday, Nov. 16, against Central Michigan.

CHIP DIP: EMU and CMU will meet on the gridiron for the 94th time in history between the two programs, with the Chippewas holding the series lead, 59-28-6. Last year, Central Michigan posted a 35-28 come-from-behind victory at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Mich., Nov. 27, 2015.
   The last time the Green and White were victorious over its rivals from the north was Oct. 15, 2011. EMU invaded Mount Pleasant, Mich. and left with a 35-28 victory in the first leg of claiming the Michigan MAC Trophy.

STRANGE THINGS HAVE BEEN KNOW TO HAPPEN: When EMU and CMU wrap up the regular season it has been anyone's guess what the final outcome will be. All-time, the Eagles are 3-3-1 versus the Chippewas in the year's final contest. EMU posted victories in 1972 (28-3), 2007 (48-45) and 2008 (56-52), while CMU's wins occurred in 1954 (28-7), 2013 (42-10) and most recently in 2015 (35-28). The tie happened in 1953 when Fred Trosko's club concluded with a 7-1-1 record following the 33-33 stalemate. A reminder of two of those memorable games are below...

EMU's 2007 COMEBACK SHOCKS CMU: In 2007, Eastern Michigan put an exclamation point on it's 2007 season with a thrilling 48-45 come-from-behind win. Trailing by a 45-42 count with just 6:30 left in the game, the Eagles marched 62 yards in eight plays and took a 48-45 lead with 3:08 left on a one-yard touchdown run by senior tailback Pierre Walker. Eastern was assessed with a personal foul penalty on the score, however, and Zach Johnson's 33-yard extra-point kick was no good, giving the Eagles the tenuous three-point lead. West Division champion CMU (6-5; 5-1 MAC) then moved down to the EMU 14-yard line, but a 15-yard personal foul penalty moved the Chippewas back to the EMU 34. After an incomplete pass with just 00:27 remaining, Central faced a 4th-and-30-yard situation. The Chippewas then called on the field-goal unit, but a 52-yard field goal attempt was wide left, giving the Eagles the 48-45 victory.

SCHMITT AND JONES TEAM UP FOR THE 2008 SHOOT OUT WIN OVER CMU: Eastern turned on the offense to record a thrilling 56-52 record-breaking effort in the 2008 season wrap up. The victory also closed out then-head coach Jeff Genyk's five-year EMU career on a positive note. EMU quarterback Andy Schmitt set one NCAA record and established five EMU marks on the way to completing 58-of-80 passes for 516 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Eagles to victory. Schmitt's 58 completions broke the NCAA mark of 56 set by Jarrod DeGeorgia of Wayne State (Neb.) vs. Duke, Nov. 9, 1996. All five of his EMU records broke his own marks, including 58 completions, 80 attempts, 516 passing yards, 89 total offensive plays, and 554 yards in total offense. Wide receiver Tyler Jones caught an EMU single-game record 23 passes for 170 yards. That 23 reception mark tied UNLV's Randy Gatewood for the NCAA record. Gatewood caught his 23 passes against Idaho, Sept. 17, 1994. EMU place-kicker Joe Carithers tied an EMU single-game record with eight PAT kicks.

EAGLES IN OVERTIME: The last time the Eagles played in an overtime game prior to the Nov. 16 loss to Northern Illinois, was a 35-32 triumph over against rival Western Michigan, Nov. 9, 2013. The Eagles are now 5-5 all-time in games that have gone into overtime.

HUGE HANDS HARRIS: Redshirt sophomore Jeremiah Harris recorded his second blocked field goal attempt of the season and in his career. The block came in the first quarter of the game against Northern Illinois, Nov. 16. The Eagles held a 7-0 lead when the 36-yard attempt was blocked, and the offensive drive would result in an eight play, 80-yard touchdown drive for the Eagles. Harris' first block came on Sept. 23 versus Wyoming, getting his hands on a 22-yard attempt to try and tie the game at 20 late in the third quarter. He is one of just 22 players in the FBS to block multiple kicks this season.

HISTORIC OFFENSIVE SEASON: The Eastern Michigan offense is close to attaining one of the biggest offensive seasons in its history this season. Currently the team ranks third in total offense (4,909), second in completions (257), third in points (339), fourth in touchdowns (41), fourth in passing yards (3,194), and tied for third in passing touchdowns (21).

ESSENCE OF FRICANO: Redshirt freshman Paul Fricano has tied a program record for the most PAT's made in a single-season with 38. Fricano is 38-of-39 this season on extra point opportunities, and is now one PAT away from making the record his own. Fricano is 15-of-19 on field goals, which ranks him 33rd in the nation in field goal percentage (2nd MAC), as well as 32nd in field goals per game (3rd MAC), he is just six field goals away from the single-season program record. In all, his 83 points rank sixth in a single-season for EMU all-time.

ROBACK IS MR. 5,000: Redshirt junior Brogan Roback is the fourth quarterback in program history to surpass 5,000 yards passing in a career. After entering the NIU game with 4,924 yards, Roback threw for 184-yards on 17 completions, compiling 5,108 career yards through the air, and 34 passing touchdowns. Roback leads the team with 2,039 yards on 167 completions and 14 touchdowns this season.

ELECTRIC ERIKSEN: Redshirt sophomore Ian Eriksen had a career high game, rushing for 174-yards on 30 carries and two touchdowns in the loss to Northern Illinois, Nov. 16. He also led the team in receiving in this game with four receptions for 48-yards. It was his third 100-yard rushing game of the season and in his career, and the second consecutive game of over 100-yards on the ground. Eriksen is EMU's leading rusher this year with 741-yards on 175 carries and nine touchdowns.

INSIDE THE WINS: EMU has pieced together a 6-5 overall record through its 11 games this season. The Eagles have posted wins over Mississippi Valley State, Charlotte, Wyoming, Bowling Green, Ohio, and Ball State. Together, those teams have combined for a 24-32 record, while Wyoming and Ohio sit at 7-2 and 7-3 on the year, respectively, and lead their conference divisions.

AUSTIN BARNES NAMED SEMIFINALIST FOR RAY GUY AWARD: Redshirt junior punter Austin Barnes was named a semifinalist for the 2016 Ray Guy Award, which honors the nation's top collegiate punter, the Augusta Sports Council announced Nov. 11. The 10 candidates were voted on by a national body of sports writers, coaches, and sports information directors.
    Following the semifinalists announcement, a national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, coaches, media representatives, and previous Ray Guy Award winners will vote for the top three finalists, who will be identified on Nov. 22. The voting body will then cast ballots to select the winner. The 2016 Ray Guy Award winner will be announced live on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 8.

NEW RECEIVERS THRIVING: This season, EMU's five leading receivers are all newcomers. A trio of JUCO receivers have found success donning the Green and White, as juniors Sergio Bailey II, Antoine Porter, and Johnnie Niupalau have totaled 695, 473, and 293 receiving yards, respectively, on the season. Additionally, redshirt freshmen Nigel Kilby and Dieuly Aristilde have been stellar catching the ball, as they currently have the third and fourth-most receiving yards so far this year with 399 and 320, respectively. The five players have also combined to catch 17 of EMU's 21 touchdown passes on the season.

BOMBS AWAY BARNES: Redshirt junior Austin Barnes continues to have a great season punting the ball. Barnes booted six punts for 241 yards (40.2 average) against Northern Illinois, Nov. 16. His season-best average came five weeks before at Bowling Green, where he averaged 50.0 yards per punt and a long of 56 yards. For his efforts, he was named the MAC's West Division Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season.
    His season average of 44.6 is ranked 12th in the country and second in the MAC. The redshirt junior punter holds a career average of 42.9 yards, which is second all-time in EMU history, while his 7,419 total yards ranks seventh all-time and his 55 punts downed inside the 20 rank third.

BUMPING UP THE WINS: With six wins this season, the Eagles have produced as many wins as the previous three years combined. Last year, EMU won one game, while the squad won two apiece in the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

FOCUSING ON THE FUMBLES: EMU's 13 fumble recoveries this season rank them first in the country and of course tops in the MAC. Senior Pat O'Connor leads the way with four forced fumbles, which is good for sixth in the nation and first in the MAC. Redshirt sophomore Jeremiah Harris is next with three and is ranked 24th in the nation (third in the MAC).

WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE: Eastern lost the turnover battle, 1-2, against Northern Illinois, Nov. 16. In total, Eastern holds a 23-20 TO advantage with a safety, nine interceptions, and 13 fumble recoveries. Not only is the squad getting the ball back, but it is taking advantage of it and putting points on the board. EMU has turned its 23 turnovers into 785 points, including 11 touchdowns.

CLUTCH ON FOURTH DOWN: EMU has converted on 6-of-10 fourth down tries this season, which ranks 15th in the nation and second in the MAC.

THE DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: In its first season under new defensive coordinator Neal Neathery and his 4-2-5 scheme, Eastern Michigan has seen remarkable improvement in its overall defense. Through 11 games this season, EMU has allowed 4,848 total yards (440.7 per game). Last season, the Eagles had allowed 5,648 yards through 10 games (513.5 per game). EMU's defense ranks 86th in the country and eighth in the MAC. Additionally, the top-three total defensive performances of Creighton's tenure have all come in 2016.

OFFENSE KEEPS CHURNING: The Eagles' offense, meanwhile, is picking up where it left off from last season. The unit is ranked 44th in the country and fifth in the MAC, averaging 446.3 yards per game, while they are 51st in scoring, third in the MAC, averaging 30.8 points a game. So far this season, EMU has put up four of the top-10 total yards' performances in Chris Creighton's tenure.

EFFICIENT IN THE RED ZONE: Both sides of the ball have got it done this season within the 20 yard lines. The offense has scored on 90.2 percent of its red zone opportunities, which is sixth in the nation and second in the MAC, while the defense has only allowed scores on 82.5 percent of red zone possessions, good for 62nd in the nation and sixth in the conference.

SPREADING THE LOVE: Through 11 games, 16 different receivers have caught passes for EMU, while nine have 10 or more receptions and nine have 100+ yards receiving on the season. Additionally, eight have caught a touchdown pass.

ON THE HORIZON - THE BOWL: The Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, Miami Beach Bowl, Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Popeyes Bahamas Bowl and Dollar General Bowl are all spots for bowl eligible Mid-American Conference teams. In the event EMU is selected, we will keep you close to all the action and fun with travel, tickets and tailgate details. While we are bowl eligible, we are not guaranteed a bowl berth since the final decisions about bowl invitations are in the hands of the bowl selection committees. We are working hard to tell our story. Join the conversation on social media and let your voice be heard to let the bowls know that the Eagles deserve to be in a bowl game.
   It will be important to purchase tickets for any bowl game directly from the EMU Athletic Ticket Office by calling 734.487.2282 or EMUEagles.com/tickets. Ticket information for Eastern Michigan students will also be released at the time the bowl game is announced and accepted.

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Players Mentioned

Dieuly Aristilde Jr.

Sergio Bailey II

Austin Barnes

Ian Eriksen

Paulie Fricano

Jeremiah Harris

Nigel Kilby

Johnnie Niupalau

Pat O'Connor

Antoine Porter

Brogan Roback

Eastern Michigan Athletics